The present research aimed to determine the diversity of macrophyte taxa in the Ljubljanica River... more The present research aimed to determine the diversity of macrophyte taxa in the Ljubljanica River and its relationship with environmental parameters. In each of the 19 river sections, the presence and abundance of plant taxa were recorded, and basic physical and chemical parameters were measured. Additionally, selected environmental parameters were assessed using a modified version of the Riparian, Channel and Environmental (RCE) method. We compared the obtained data set with survey data from the year 2004. In 2019, a total of 34 macrophyte taxa were recorded. The dominant taxa with the highest abundance were Sparganium emersum, Callitriche sp., and the invasive alien species Elodea canadensis. The species richness and diversity of macrophytes decreased with distance from the source, an increase in pH, and alterations of the riverbed structure due to interference in the riverine ecosystem in the lower part of the Ljubljanica River and its catchment. The comparison of 2004 and 2019 s...
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe that is subjected to various man-made alteration... more The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe that is subjected to various man-made alterations, including those related to hydro-power plants. We surveyed and analyzed the presence and abundance of macrophytes in the main channel from 2582 river kilometers (rkm) to 171 rkm. We also assessed selected habitat parameters in the sampled river stretches. Sixty-eight different plant species were recorded along the entire course. Among neophytes, we found Elodea nuttallii, E. canadensis, Vallisneriaspiralis and Azolla filiculoides. Based on similarity analysis, we distinguished 15 plant communities, most of which were defined as associations, which were classified into 5 alliances and represented three vegetation classes, namely vegetation of rooted hydrophytes Potamogetonetea, the vegetation of pleustophytes Lemnetea and vegetation of marshes Phragmitetea. The number and abundance of plant species, as well as plant communities recorded in single stretches, varied along the course. Can...
The contribution discusses macrophyte communities in natural and man-made waterbodies located on ... more The contribution discusses macrophyte communities in natural and man-made waterbodies located on the active floodplain along the Drava river (Slovenia). We presumed that these different types of wetlands host a great number of macrophyte species, but this diversity may be affected by the presence of alien invasive species Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii. Presence, relative abundance, and growth forms of plant species along with selected environmental parameters were monitored. Correlation analyses and direct gradient analyses were performed to reveal the possible relations between the structure of macrophyte community and environmental parameters. Number of macrophytes in surveyed water bodies varied from 1 to 23. Besides numerous native species we also recorded Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii, which were present in 19 out of 32 sample sites, with E. nuttallii prevailing. The less invasive E. canadensis was absent from ponds and oxbow lakes but relatively abundant in side-chan...
The study focuses on solving urban challenges such as temperature reduction, urban stormwater man... more The study focuses on solving urban challenges such as temperature reduction, urban stormwater management, noise reduction, air quality improvement, and CO2 concentrations reduction, and suggests terrestrial and freshwater habitat types (HTs) found in Europe, as innovative forms of nature-based solutions (NBS) for them. Establishment of native HTs in different urban environments to solve urban challenges would enhance biodiversity at different levels and integrate this aspect in urban planning. This contribution builds on the recognition that surfaces of vegetated terrain are the most versatile NBS in addressing the broadest range of environmental problems in urban areas and that the processes running within these green spaces offer the key to socio-ecological improvements of such areas. Employing narrative literature review, qualitative content analysis, and interdisciplinary expert discussion this paper defines why and how native HTs of unchanged nature can be implemented as NBS in...
The work deals with vegetation and ecological factors of the roadside slopes as well as their rec... more The work deals with vegetation and ecological factors of the roadside slopes as well as their reciprocalinfluences. Vegetation was inventoried using the standard method and soil samples as well as temperaturewere analysed. Canonical Correspondence Analysis method reveals that it is water regime that mostlyinfluences vegetation, especially depends on steepness, which determinates the amount of receivedprecipitation. Soil reaction is also important, due to the fact that soil is generally alkaline and poor. Therelevčs were classified into 8 communities using hierarchic classification method and deductive methods.Vegetation is most diversified on the slope with most severe conditions.Delo obravnava vegetacijo in ekološke dejavnike na cestnih brežinah ter njihove medsebojne vplive. Postandardni metodi je bila popisana vegetacija, analizirani so bili vzorci tal in temperatura. Metoda kanoničneskladnostne analize (CCA) kaže na to, da na sestavo vegetacije najbolj vpliva vodni režim, ki je odvisenpredvsem od naklona, ki določa količino prejetih padavin. Pomembna je tudi reakcija tal, ki so na splošnobazična in siromašna. Z metodo hierarhične klasifikacije in z deduktivno metodo smo popise uvrstili v 8združb. Vegetacija je najbolj pestra na brežini z najslabšimi razmerami
The standard Braun-Blanquet method was used for sampling litter-raking vegetation in southeastern... more The standard Braun-Blanquet method was used for sampling litter-raking vegetation in southeastern Slovenia (Suha krajina, Bela krajina, Kocevsko) and in the border region in Croatia. Releves were classified with the TWINSPAN program and two associations were separated: Pteridio-Betuletum Trinajstic et Sugar ex Raus et Matic 1994 and Molinio-Quercetum Sugar 1972. Both communities are the result of intensive litter collecting (and other human impacts). The first one thrives on carbonate bedrock, while the second is limited on silicate bedrock, as is reflected in its specific floristic composition. Due to abandonment of litter collecting these stands are in progressive successional development, and typical variants are becoming rare and endangered.
Riparian zones support high biodiversity and are among the most vulnerable parts of the landscape... more Riparian zones support high biodiversity and are among the most vulnerable parts of the landscape. Their degradation facilitates the spread of invasive alien plant species. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between environmental characteristics of riparian zones and distribution and abundance of invasive alien plant taxa (IAT) along three rivers in Slovenia. In 100-m reaches of riparian zone we determined environmental characteristics and the presence and abundance of IAT. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to assess the relationship between IAT and environmental factors. The numbers and abundances of IAT in specific reaches were correlated with environmental factors using Spearman coefficient. These results revealed that the number and abundance of IAT in riparian zone were strongly positively correlated to the distance from river source, while they were negatively correlated with altitude, vegetation structure complexity, completeness of riparian zone and current velocity. Environmental factors that explained the distribution and abundance of IAT significantly were: the altitude, flow dynamics, distance from source, width of riparian zone, land-use, bank and channel structure, water depth and velocity. The research has pointed out the need for proper management of riparian zones to prevent invasion by IAT and also to strengthen other services provided by riparian zone as buffering anthropogenic impacts to water body, stabilising bank structure and increasing biodiversity.
The present research aimed to determine the diversity of macrophyte taxa in the Ljubljanica River... more The present research aimed to determine the diversity of macrophyte taxa in the Ljubljanica River and its relationship with environmental parameters. In each of the 19 river sections, the presence and abundance of plant taxa were recorded, and basic physical and chemical parameters were measured. Additionally, selected environmental parameters were assessed using a modified version of the Riparian, Channel and Environmental (RCE) method. We compared the obtained data set with survey data from the year 2004. In 2019, a total of 34 macrophyte taxa were recorded. The dominant taxa with the highest abundance were Sparganium emersum, Callitriche sp., and the invasive alien species Elodea canadensis. The species richness and diversity of macrophytes decreased with distance from the source, an increase in pH, and alterations of the riverbed structure due to interference in the riverine ecosystem in the lower part of the Ljubljanica River and its catchment. The comparison of 2004 and 2019 s...
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe that is subjected to various man-made alteration... more The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe that is subjected to various man-made alterations, including those related to hydro-power plants. We surveyed and analyzed the presence and abundance of macrophytes in the main channel from 2582 river kilometers (rkm) to 171 rkm. We also assessed selected habitat parameters in the sampled river stretches. Sixty-eight different plant species were recorded along the entire course. Among neophytes, we found Elodea nuttallii, E. canadensis, Vallisneriaspiralis and Azolla filiculoides. Based on similarity analysis, we distinguished 15 plant communities, most of which were defined as associations, which were classified into 5 alliances and represented three vegetation classes, namely vegetation of rooted hydrophytes Potamogetonetea, the vegetation of pleustophytes Lemnetea and vegetation of marshes Phragmitetea. The number and abundance of plant species, as well as plant communities recorded in single stretches, varied along the course. Can...
The contribution discusses macrophyte communities in natural and man-made waterbodies located on ... more The contribution discusses macrophyte communities in natural and man-made waterbodies located on the active floodplain along the Drava river (Slovenia). We presumed that these different types of wetlands host a great number of macrophyte species, but this diversity may be affected by the presence of alien invasive species Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii. Presence, relative abundance, and growth forms of plant species along with selected environmental parameters were monitored. Correlation analyses and direct gradient analyses were performed to reveal the possible relations between the structure of macrophyte community and environmental parameters. Number of macrophytes in surveyed water bodies varied from 1 to 23. Besides numerous native species we also recorded Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii, which were present in 19 out of 32 sample sites, with E. nuttallii prevailing. The less invasive E. canadensis was absent from ponds and oxbow lakes but relatively abundant in side-chan...
The study focuses on solving urban challenges such as temperature reduction, urban stormwater man... more The study focuses on solving urban challenges such as temperature reduction, urban stormwater management, noise reduction, air quality improvement, and CO2 concentrations reduction, and suggests terrestrial and freshwater habitat types (HTs) found in Europe, as innovative forms of nature-based solutions (NBS) for them. Establishment of native HTs in different urban environments to solve urban challenges would enhance biodiversity at different levels and integrate this aspect in urban planning. This contribution builds on the recognition that surfaces of vegetated terrain are the most versatile NBS in addressing the broadest range of environmental problems in urban areas and that the processes running within these green spaces offer the key to socio-ecological improvements of such areas. Employing narrative literature review, qualitative content analysis, and interdisciplinary expert discussion this paper defines why and how native HTs of unchanged nature can be implemented as NBS in...
The work deals with vegetation and ecological factors of the roadside slopes as well as their rec... more The work deals with vegetation and ecological factors of the roadside slopes as well as their reciprocalinfluences. Vegetation was inventoried using the standard method and soil samples as well as temperaturewere analysed. Canonical Correspondence Analysis method reveals that it is water regime that mostlyinfluences vegetation, especially depends on steepness, which determinates the amount of receivedprecipitation. Soil reaction is also important, due to the fact that soil is generally alkaline and poor. Therelevčs were classified into 8 communities using hierarchic classification method and deductive methods.Vegetation is most diversified on the slope with most severe conditions.Delo obravnava vegetacijo in ekološke dejavnike na cestnih brežinah ter njihove medsebojne vplive. Postandardni metodi je bila popisana vegetacija, analizirani so bili vzorci tal in temperatura. Metoda kanoničneskladnostne analize (CCA) kaže na to, da na sestavo vegetacije najbolj vpliva vodni režim, ki je odvisenpredvsem od naklona, ki določa količino prejetih padavin. Pomembna je tudi reakcija tal, ki so na splošnobazična in siromašna. Z metodo hierarhične klasifikacije in z deduktivno metodo smo popise uvrstili v 8združb. Vegetacija je najbolj pestra na brežini z najslabšimi razmerami
The standard Braun-Blanquet method was used for sampling litter-raking vegetation in southeastern... more The standard Braun-Blanquet method was used for sampling litter-raking vegetation in southeastern Slovenia (Suha krajina, Bela krajina, Kocevsko) and in the border region in Croatia. Releves were classified with the TWINSPAN program and two associations were separated: Pteridio-Betuletum Trinajstic et Sugar ex Raus et Matic 1994 and Molinio-Quercetum Sugar 1972. Both communities are the result of intensive litter collecting (and other human impacts). The first one thrives on carbonate bedrock, while the second is limited on silicate bedrock, as is reflected in its specific floristic composition. Due to abandonment of litter collecting these stands are in progressive successional development, and typical variants are becoming rare and endangered.
Riparian zones support high biodiversity and are among the most vulnerable parts of the landscape... more Riparian zones support high biodiversity and are among the most vulnerable parts of the landscape. Their degradation facilitates the spread of invasive alien plant species. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between environmental characteristics of riparian zones and distribution and abundance of invasive alien plant taxa (IAT) along three rivers in Slovenia. In 100-m reaches of riparian zone we determined environmental characteristics and the presence and abundance of IAT. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to assess the relationship between IAT and environmental factors. The numbers and abundances of IAT in specific reaches were correlated with environmental factors using Spearman coefficient. These results revealed that the number and abundance of IAT in riparian zone were strongly positively correlated to the distance from river source, while they were negatively correlated with altitude, vegetation structure complexity, completeness of riparian zone and current velocity. Environmental factors that explained the distribution and abundance of IAT significantly were: the altitude, flow dynamics, distance from source, width of riparian zone, land-use, bank and channel structure, water depth and velocity. The research has pointed out the need for proper management of riparian zones to prevent invasion by IAT and also to strengthen other services provided by riparian zone as buffering anthropogenic impacts to water body, stabilising bank structure and increasing biodiversity.
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